PRISON WORKER HONORED WITH MEDAL FOR ASSISTANCE IN CAR CRASH.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

For five years, Carrie Crickette has collected angels, but eight months ago, she became an angel for Julie Buelna.

Crickette spent 40 minutes holding the seriously injured woman inside her wrecked sport-utility vehicle after a traffic collision less than two miles from California State Prison-Los Angeles County, where both work.

``She's my angel,'' said Buelna, a correctional officer for four years at the prison. ``She saved my life.''

Crickette, an office technician, was honored Friday for her actions with a California Department of Corrections silver medal, the department's third highest honor.

``I don't think what I did was a big deal,'' the modest woman said, ``but it's really opened my eyes to helping others - just having a hand to hold can make a difference.''

Although both worked at the same facility, the two had never met before the evening of Oct. 1, 1997.

Crickette was driving home northbound on 60th Street West just in front of Buelna's sport-utility vehicle when she heard a crash and looked in her rearview mirror.

``I saw her vehicle airborne,'' said Crickette. ``I remember seeing this object, and then I remember a puff of dust.''

Buelna's Ford Explorer was broadsided by a vehicle that failed to stop at Avenue F. Her car flipped four times and landed on the passenger side.

Crickette turned her car around and drove back. After sending someone to notify authorities, Crickette held Buelna immobile for 40 minutes until emergency personnel arrived.

``I was holding her head to keep the blood from falling on the passenger,'' Crickette said. ``I was a vessel that the Lord worked through. I did what I was supposed to do.''

Hospital officials told prison officials that Crickette's actions that day possibly saved Buelna's life and definitely saved her from more substantial injuries.

While Buelna doesn't remember much about the crash, she can faintly remember her angel, who she didn't recognize as a co-worker.

``I didn't know who she was,'' Buelna said. ``But she held me while I was bleeding. All I remember is someone with light hair and a soft voice talking to me.''

Crickette joined more than 37 CDC employees on the steps of the state Capitol on Friday to receive her award and be recognized during the annual Medal of Valor ceremony.

The silver medal is presented for acts of bravery under extraordinary or unusual circumstances. The award is given to an employee who displays courage in the face of potential peril while saving or attempting to save the life of another person or to someone who distinguishes himself or herself by performing in stressful situations with exceptional tactics or judgment.

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PHOTO (Color) Carrie Crickette, right, comforted co-worker Julie Buelna after Buelna's vehicle was struck and overturned in a 1997 auto crash.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News